|
Author
|
Topic: Benchmarkers
|
Kokopelli
SENIOR DISCOUNT & Dispenser of Sage Advice
Member # 633
|
posted January 29, 2012 05:56 PM
I keep stumbling across & sometimes over old benchmarkers. The latest one I found is dated 1918. Before that one, 1924 was the oldest. Kind of neat to find considering the lack of roads back then and the remoteness of the locations even today.
Interesting to note; stamped on the faces is a warning that the fine for disturbing is $250. Back then $250 was what? About a year's wages??
There's a lot of neat history down in this corner of Az. A couple of years ago, I found an old 45-70 brass case out in the desert. Would love to know the story behind that shot. According to the head stamp numbers, it was Army issue.
--------------------
And lo, the Light of the Trump shown upon the Darkness and the Darkness could not comprehend it.
Posts: 8237 | From: Under a wandering star | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
jimanaz
2nd Place RICHARD FARNSWORTH LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3689
|
posted January 29, 2012 07:05 PM
You know, I am guilty of never giving those things a second glance. I'm gonna start paying attention from now on.
Posts: 940 | From: AZ | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged
|
|
JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
|
posted January 29, 2012 07:13 PM
I'm not familiar with what your talking about, is it a boundary marker?
--------------------
Jason
--------------------------------------
What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
|
posted January 29, 2012 08:56 PM
I stumble across them pretty often. Always take a moment to look at them and ponder, but that's about the extent of it.
But I have a friend that makes a hobby out of hiking to find them in the damndest places.
I stumbled across one last weekend, in fact. Did the usual stop to ponder, but didn't take a picture of it or anything, even though I had my camera and was taking lots of pictures on that hike.
It was about a mile from the end of the road. Here's a picture of the end of the road:
And here are a few pics taken within not more than about 500 yards of the benchmark:
Very few people ever visit this area. And most of them don't walk very far. Now I wish I'd have taken a pic of the benchmark ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif) .
I do spend a fair amount of time just walking where not many folks ever walk and really do come across these things fairly often. Don't usually have a camera with me when I do though. But I'll start trying to remember to take pictures of them when I can and post them - along with whatever info I can dig up. Didn't know anyone besides my friend had any interest in them...
- DAA
--------------------
"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
|
posted January 29, 2012 09:00 PM
P.S...
JD, they are section corner markers, placed by surveyors. The "interesting" ones, that we are talking about, are the ones placed by the first USGS crews to map these areas. In remote country like Koko is talking about and I posted pics of above, they have never been replaced or redone. The first USGS surveyors put 'em there and there they still sit today - sometimes a hundred years or more later.
- DAA
--------------------
"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
CrossJ
SECOND PLACE: PAUL RYAN Look-a-like contest
Member # 884
|
posted January 29, 2012 09:01 PM
Have no idea what you all are talking about in regards to the benchmarkers, but Dave, you live in some awsome country.
Maintain
--------------------
A friend will help you move. A good friend will help you move a body.
Posts: 1025 | From: on a water tower | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
|
posted January 29, 2012 09:43 PM
Definately awesome country! All we get to look for is arrowheads and snakes...
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
|
posted January 29, 2012 10:29 PM
Now I know what you're talking about, I didn't know they were called benchmarks.
I've got hundreds of pictures from areas like that Dave, if I had the means I would live in red rock country and never look back, one of my favorite places to visit and awful hard to leave when it's time to come home, I'll be there again in about a month to test the lockers and skid plates. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
--------------------
Jason
--------------------------------------
What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
|
posted January 29, 2012 10:35 PM
A couple years ago I lost one of my hard drives and a buttload of pictures from the San Rafeal swell and slot canyons and all sorts of cool stuff.
I still have a couple pics from slots. 
And hundreds like these 
 
[ January 29, 2012, 10:37 PM: Message edited by: JD ]
--------------------
Jason
--------------------------------------
What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
|
posted January 29, 2012 10:46 PM
Sorry, every time Dave posts pictures of that country I browse through my pictures and get an itch to pack my belongings.
Sometimes when your enjoying that country it seams almost surreal, sometimes it difficult to wrap your mind around the enormity of what your seeing.
As an example the waterfall behind my daughters, you can see almost all of it, it falls probably another 75 or 100 feet beyond what you see. But look at the bottom picture which is only the very bottom section of the falls and pay close atten to the rock at the base of the falls behind the veil, my wife and one of my daughters is standing on that rock.
--------------------
Jason
--------------------------------------
What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
|
posted January 29, 2012 11:02 PM
Great photographs, I enjoy the heck out of them!
I did not know those were called "benchmarkers"? I run into them in the damnedest places, always least expected.
I know one thing, and I should have my ass picked for not ever taking enough pictures. I'm really terrible about it, hero shots included. And, many times, I don't have a camera on board. Pretty stupid. But just about every one of those pics, I have been in places that look very similar.
Good hunting. El beebo
edit: PS if you didn't mention it, JD. I would have missed somebody standing behind the falls.
[ January 29, 2012, 11:03 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
--------------------
EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
|
posted January 30, 2012 05:13 AM
Looks like the Needles country, Elephant Hill, Joint Trail, Confluence, Chesler Park etc. Nice place! A little bit on the touristy side for my taste, but still, some jaw dropping scenery no matter how you slice it.
- DAA
--------------------
"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
CrossJ
SECOND PLACE: PAUL RYAN Look-a-like contest
Member # 884
|
posted January 30, 2012 06:08 AM
Ok Dave, I know what you are talking about now. We have them here, they are placed at the center of sections. Almost all I have seen have a 1/4 carved on them.
[ January 30, 2012, 06:11 AM: Message edited by: CrossJ ]
--------------------
A friend will help you move. A good friend will help you move a body.
Posts: 1025 | From: on a water tower | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
J_hun
Knows what it's all about
Member # 872
|
posted January 30, 2012 08:12 AM
Those scenes are absolutely beautiful. I'm going to use one for my desktop background. Awesome!!!!
Posts: 141 | From: Pierre,S.D. | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Possumal
HONORARY CALLS FORUM MODERATOR edit: AND TOKEN LIBERAL
Member # 823
|
posted January 30, 2012 09:13 AM
As far as I'm concerned, those kinds of pictures are fascinating. Thanks for sharing, and please do share some more.
--------------------
Al Prather
Foxpro Field Staff
Posts: 781 | From: Nicholasville, Ky. | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
TRnCO
FUTURE HALL OF FAMER
Member # 690
|
posted January 30, 2012 09:33 AM
Most of the markers I've found were on top of mtns. here in Colo. have found a few out in the easterns plains too, but never paid much attention to the dates on them.
I gotta agree, several awesome pics. in this thread.
--------------------
Is it hunting season yet? I hate summer!
Posts: 996 | From: Elizabeth, CO | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
|
posted January 30, 2012 09:41 AM
Wow, those are some amazing photos.
Where's all the snow though?
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
|
posted January 30, 2012 09:51 AM
You want snow, come to California. Truckee Pass commonly gets over 600 inches every winter, enough snowmelt for like fifteen million people in SoCal.
Question: Which are the most awesome mountain range, California's Sierra Nevada or the Colorado Rockies?
Good hunting. LB
--------------------
EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32368 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
|
posted January 30, 2012 10:03 AM
600 inches is a lot of snow. Too much snow!
It's probably that wet, heavy snow too, which is extra nasty for moving.
Our snow is light and fluffy. Good luck packing it into a snowball or anything for that matter.
Post the mountain range pictures and we can vote.
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
|
posted January 30, 2012 10:49 AM
quote:
Looks like the Needles country, Elephant Hill, Joint Trail, Confluence, Chesler Park etc. Nice place! A little bit on the touristy side for my taste, but still, some jaw dropping scenery no matter how you slice it.
LOL I knew you would identify every one of those areas with no problem. I sure like that area, I always make the family endure at least 2 days of rock crawling on top of a week of hiking and site seeing but their idea of roughing it is returning to the hotel after supper, they love our trips to Utah but trying to get a jeepload of girls convinced to sleep on the ground is futile...oh well, life is full of compromises and we still have a blast.
My wife is actually warming up to the idea of multi day off road expedition trips and as my house becomes void of teenage daughters we may find some time between raising our kids and becoming grandparents to make a few such trips.
My short list looks like this, and is becoming longer all the time. These would be self sustained multi day trips.
Lockhart, beef basin
The maze district
Anywhere on the san rafael swell
The Arizona strip
of course to start out slow I've agreed to compromise a little and give my lovely wife time to adjust to living out of a jeep so we would start with something like an easy 2 day on the white rim.
As I type my mind is racing to a hundred other places that would be very cool but I won't blather on any more, at least for a while.
But if any of you guys have suggestions for offroad trips like that.....I'm all ears.
--------------------
Jason
--------------------------------------
What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
|
posted January 30, 2012 11:48 AM
Any Jeep fans? I love the darn things they are one of the few vehicles left to shun independent suspension as a viable option in a serious 4X4.
Anyways, we were putzing around on Hells revenge one afternoon taking in all the scenery and abusing someone elses jeep when we ran into this guy.
For the life of me I couldn't understand why this moron found himself 2 hours into a trail like this with a soccer mom Jeep, perhaps he was drunk and his wife didn't know what he was doing with her vehicle.
Then I discovered that he was some sort of technician for Chrysler and this thing was next years cherokee (2011 model) that had not even been revealed to the public yet, thus the flat black primer and no emblems, he hired a local to guide him on several different trails that week, the passengers seat was full of electronic equipment and gauges and other important looking shit, he explained that his job was to test these vehicles and see if they qualify for Jeeps "trail rated" status and identify potential problems, blah blah blah. I said to him so your job is to take brand new Jeeps and drive them on trails until they are either destroyed or proven, and you get paid to do this in a place like this instead of some proving grounds somewhere, he got the biggest grin and nodded and said yep, I couldn't ask for a better job. Lucky bastard!!
--------------------
Jason
--------------------------------------
What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
|
posted January 30, 2012 11:50 AM
The list is without end! I've been exploring that area for most of my life and still have a list of places I want to get to that I know I'll never complete.
You've got a good list to get started there though.
Beef Basin is awesome. Really, it's best as an overnighter. But if your Wife ain't having that, next time you do Elephant hill, just keep on going south on Devils Lane all the way out of the park via Bobbies Hole. You can do a quick tour of Beef Basin and head out via Cottonwood, takes you back to 211 outside the park. I led a group of about six Jeeps on that route a few years ago, we left Moab about 8am and made it back in time for dinner.
One more I'd add to that list, and put it pretty high towards the top, is the Hole In The Rock trail. It's one of my all time favorites.
The Maze is my favorite on your list there though. Not sure if I'm going to make it in there this year, but I usually do. Hell, actually, I was only about 5 miles from the Hans Flat ranger station last weekend, now that I think about it.
But, heck yeah, get your Wife out for a couple nights camped at the Dollhouse. Just too spectacular not to love! Couple quick pics of camp at the Dollhouse last year:
- DAA
--------------------
"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
|
posted January 30, 2012 11:51 AM
--------------------
Jason
--------------------------------------
What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
|
posted January 30, 2012 11:56 AM
That's what I'm talking about Dave!!! That stuff NEVER gets old! I'm one of those guys that will park the Jeep on a tall rock somewhere so the search and rescue guys will find it right away and just start hiking LOL, luckily I'm getting old and rarely get more than 5 miles before I'm pooped. The Maze is the top one on my list for sure.
--------------------
Jason
--------------------------------------
What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
|
posted January 30, 2012 11:59 AM
I see he picked a good guide at least. That's Dan Mick. Good guy. That's who I had dinner with at the Brewery after leading that group I just mentioned over Elephant Hill and through Beef Basin.
- DAA
--------------------
"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
